The stunning actress, 36, wore a risque low-cut black and white halter-neck dress which was split to her navel.

Charlize nearly fell over a light fixing as she entered the ceremony but was rather more composed as she accepted her special tribute award at the film bash held at the Cipriani Wall Street.

Gary Oldman and Tilda Swinton pose on the red carpet (Picture: Getty)

The Oscar-winner, who is currently shooting Snow White and The Huntsmen opposite Twilight star Kristen Stewart , brought her mother Gerda along as her date.

Beginners starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer was the big winner of the night taking home two prizes for Best Ensemble Performance and Best Feature.

Felicity Jones won the gong for Breakthrough Actor (Picture: Getty)

It shared the gong for Best Feature with Terrence Malick’s The Tree Of Life, which starred Brad Pitt and Sean Penn .

Up-and-coming British actress Felicity Jones walked away with Breakthrough Actor for her performance in Like Crazy beating the likes of Elizabeth Olsen and Shailene Woodley.

Elizabeth Olsen looked happy to be there (Picture: Getty)

Better This World, directed by Kelly Duane and Katie Galloway, won Best Documentary.

Other special tributes awards went to actor Gary Oldman, director David Cronenberg and executive Tom Rothman.

Full list of winners at Gotham Independent Film AwardsBest Feature:The Tree Of Life by Terrence Malick and Beginners by Mike MillsBest Documentary:Better This World, directed by Kelly Duane and Katie GallowayBest Ensemble Performance:BeginnersBreakthrough Director:Dee Rees for PariahBreakthrough Actor:Felicity Jones in Like CrazyBest Film Not Playing At A Theatre Near You:Scenes From A Crime directed by Blue Hadaegh and Grover BabcockAudience Awards:Girlfriend, directed by Justin LernerSpecial tribute awards:Charlize Theron, Gary Oldman, A Dangerous Method director David Cronenberg and Fox Filmed Entertainment CEO Tom Rothman